Kourtney Kardashian Barker felt pressured to have IVF but is relieved she didn’t.
Before Kourtney Kardashian Barker naturally conceived her fourth child with her husband Travis Barker, she felt pressured into trying assisted reproductive technology.
“I felt really pushed and coerced into doing IVF,” Barker, who is due with a baby boy in the next couple of months, told Vogue in an Oct. 17 interview. “It went against my intuition, and I didn’t feel fully prepared for the mental or physical toll [it] takes.”
The soon-to-be mom of four didn’t say who specifically influenced her decision to participate in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Given her sisters’ extensive experience with in vitro fertilization and surrogacy, Barker likely felt some familial pressure to embrace assisted reproductive technology as a solution.
The couple, 44 and 47, was also informed by doctors that, despite their efforts to improve their chances of conceiving naturally after Barker’s fertility began to decline, their chances were low.
For thousands of dollars, emotionally vulnerable couples like the Barkers who have struggled to conceive are told that ART is their only option for having children.
Reproductive technology does result in thousands of babies each year, but it’s not a guaranteed solution for everyone. However, it is profitable for those who provide it.
Artificial conception interventions, regardless of how they are portrayed, are not a foolproof path to pregnancy. Procedures like IVF require significant financial investment, come with moral and ethical concerns, and can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining.
Barker tried IVF briefly before marrying the Blink-182 drummer in May 2022 but discontinued it due to negative side effects that “took a toll on my health.”
Less than a year after stopping the fertility treatment, Barker unexpectedly became pregnant.
“We just got pregnant naturally. It was an indescribable feeling. Shock, then overwhelming happiness, followed by fear and worry, but I remembered to be grateful,” Barker said.
It’s not uncommon for couples who have struggled to conceive or have been diagnosed as infertile to unexpectedly become pregnant. Medical professionals and data suggest that many men and women are offered ART prematurely, even when they still have a high chance of conceiving naturally.
Barker’s natural conception was a pleasant surprise, although it required additional monitoring as a geriatric pregnancy.
“My doctors have been very cautious, and I’ve had more restrictions compared to my previous pregnancies,” Barker said. “During the first trimester, I couldn’t work out, fly on airplanes, or have sex. In the second trimester, I had more freedom. Now, I’m back to following all the restrictions.”
Enduring limitations that she didn’t experience during her first three pregnancies with her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick was inconvenient for Barker, but the increased medical attention ultimately saved her unborn baby’s life.
Barker revealed that an ultrasound she had outside of what her insurance covered led to emergency fetal surgery in September.
“That experience opened my eyes to a whole new world of pregnancy that I didn’t know about before,” she told Vogue. “It was terrifying. Afterward, I learned that insurance typically only covers two ultrasounds during pregnancy, which I had no idea about. I’ve always been fortunate enough to have more than what insurance covers, and it was one of those ultrasounds that saved my baby’s life.”
With the ART and in-utero complications behind her, Barker said she’s “finally been able to let go of the fear and worry that everybody else put in us because of this pregnancy.”
“I’m ready to give birth and have the experience we’re meant to have,” Barker concluded.
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What factors may influence individuals to turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART) as a solution for infertility?
Ouples often turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART) as a solution to conceive a child. However, the experience can be mentally and physically taxing, as reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian Barker recently revealed.
In an interview with Vogue, Barker spoke candidly about feeling pressured and coerced into undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) before naturally conceiving her fourth child with husband Travis Barker. She explained that the decision to pursue IVF went against her intuition and left her feeling unprepared for the toll it would take on her mental and physical well-being.
Although Barker did not disclose who specifically influenced her decision to pursue ART, her sisters’ experiences with IVF and surrogacy likely played a role. Kim Kardashian, her sister, has openly discussed her journey with IVF and surrogacy, while Khloe Kardashian has shared her thoughts on the transactional nature of surrogacy. It is plausible that Barker felt some familial pressure to embrace ART as a potential solution for her own fertility struggles.
Despite efforts to improve their chances of conceiving naturally, doctors informed the couple, aged 44 and 47, that their chances were low. Female fertility gradually declines with age, and Barker’s fertility had begun to decline. This information likely contributed to their decision to explore ART options.
However, the decision to pursue ART comes at a significant cost, both financially and emotionally. Couples often spend thousands of dollars on procedures and confront the emotional vulnerability that accompanies the process. It is important to recognize that while ART can offer hope for couples struggling with infertility, it is not without its challenges.
Barker’s candid revelation sheds light on the pressures and uncertainties experienced by individuals considering ART. It serves as a reminder that these decisions should be made with careful consideration and respect for an individual’s own intuition and well-being.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of fertility and reproductive technologies, it is crucial to provide support and resources for those undergoing these experiences. This includes comprehensive information about the potential risks, emotional support throughout the process, and most importantly, respecting an individual’s autonomy in making decisions about their own fertility journey.
Ultimately, Barker’s experience highlights the importance of approaching assisted reproductive technology with empathy, understanding, and mindfulness of the physical and emotional toll it can take. By fostering a supportive environment, we can help individuals navigate their fertility journey with confidence and informed decision-making.
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